Marker



A. J. JOHN May 26, 1936.

MARKER Filed May 17, 1935 n ,L wf 74M. z Z Z Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT ortica 6 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in markers especially adapted for use in marking tennis courts, streets for traffic purposes and the like, the primary object of the invention being the provision of an improved marker of the character indicated which is capable of economical manufacture and highly efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction of the character indicated, equipped with improved means for agitating the'liquid used in the marking.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction of the character indicated so constructed and arranged as to facilitate the following of a straight line in marking.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction of the character indicated, equipped with improved means for applying the marking liquid to the Surface to be marked.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view, shown partially in section, illustrating a marker embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a top plan View shown partially in horizontal section, corresponding with Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, an enlarged top plan View of the rear portion of a marking trough employed in the construction;

Fig. 4, a side view corresponding with Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a detail view illustrating an arrangement employed for mounting the marking liquid reservoir on the frame of the apparatus;

Fig. 6, a longitudinal section of a modified form of marking trough; and

Fig. 7, a top plan view corresponding with Fig. 6.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing comprises a suitable rectangular frame I mounted to travel upon two spaced rear wheels II on a transverse axle as shown, and a central front wheel I2. The wheeled frame thus provided is equipped with an operating handle I3 mounted on the rear frame axle and rigidly connected with the frame by means of braces i4. At its upper end the handle I3 is provided with transverse handle bars i5, as shown, and whereby the 55 frame I0 may be readily propelled and manipulated over a fiat surface such as a tennis court, paved street, or the like, for marking purposes.

A marking liquid reservoir It is removably mounted on the frame I0 and provided with an upwardly swinging lid or cover Il for supplying the same with a marking liquid. A suitable strainer I3 is provided in the top of the reservoir E6 to strain the liquid supplied.

The front wall E9 of the reservoir i6 is made rearwardly sloping in form as shown, so that the operator may readily view the front wheel I2 and may thus readily cause said fro-nt wheel to follow a line in the marking process. The reservoir I6 is made of a size to fit between the side bars of the frame i3. At the four corners of its bottom the reservoir I5 is provided with depending slotted lugs 25% fitting loosely over cross bars or bolts 2i of the frame i6 and whereby the reservoir i6 is conveniently removably mounted on said frame. Y

A rocker shaft 22 is extended across the upper end of the reservoir I6 immediately below the screen I8 and therefore abo-ve the normal liquid level in the reservoir. An agitator arm 23 is secured centrally to the rocker shaft 22 and 55 depends, as shown, into the reservo-ir, being equipped at its lower end with a transverse agitator bar 2li. At one side the rocker shaft 22 is provided with a crank arm 25 connected by a link 26 with a crank pin 2l on the corresponding wheel I I and whereby the agitator bar 24 will be caused to sweep across the bottom of the reservoir I in the normal operation of the apparatus, thereby normally keeping the marking liquid in a thoroughly agitated condition. The link 2e is S. provided with a` plurality of holes 28 for adjustable connection with the crank arm 25 and whereby the assembling of the parts is facilitated and an adjustable sweep of the agitator arm 24 obtained. By locating the rocker shaft 2S at the L top of the reservoir I6 above the normal level of the liquid therein, any necessity of packing the bearing for said shaft is avoided.

The reservoir I6 is provided at its rear central bottom portion with a discharge spout 29 con- 45 trolled by a valve 30 which, in turn, is controlled by a rotatable valve rod 3| rotatably mounted on the handle I3 and equipped at its upper end, adjacent the handle bar I5, with an operating handle 32. As indicated, the valve rod 3l is 50 purposely slightly bent so as to exert a normal friction in its upper bearing on the handle bar I5, such normal friction tending to hold said valve rod in adjusted positions and thereby also hold the valve 30 in adjusted positions. By this ar- 55 rangement, the discharge of the marking liquid from the reservoir I6 may be readily controlled by the operator during normal operations of the apparatus. A marking trough 33 is pivotally mounted adjacent its upper front end, on the rear axle of the frame lll so as to trail upon the surface over which the apparatus travels. 'Ihe upper end of the trough 33 is arranged to receive the discharge of the marking liquid from the spout 29 and carries a marking brush 34 at its lower end as shown, said marking brush 34 thus constituting the lower end of said trough and trailing upon the surface to be marked to apply the marking liquid thereto, as will be readily understocd. The marking trough is arranged in longitudinal registration with the front wheel I2 so that the line thus made will be applied in longitudinal registration with saidv wheel, thus greatly facilitating the accurate marking of tennis courts, streets and the like. In order to insure substantially uniform distribution of the marking liquid, longitudinal ribs 35 are formed in the bottom of the trough 33 as shown. To facilitate drainage of the reservoir, the bottom thereof is sloped slightly rearwardly toward the discharge spout.

In the modified trough construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the brush 34 has been omitted. Otherwise the construction is the same as that already illustrated and described.

`While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention; I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such Variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A marker comprising a wheeled frame; a reservoir on said frame; means for depositing material from said reservoir in a line on the surface over which the frame travels; a rocker shaft transversing the upper part of said reservoir; an agitator arm arranged centrally on said shaft and adjustable thereon and depending into said reservoir; a transverse agitator bar at the lower end of said arm; and an adjustable operative connection between said shaft and a wheel of said frame.

2. A marker comprising a wheeled frame having two transverse bars; a reservoir mounted on said frame having slotted members at opposite sides to t over said bars; and means for depositing material from said reservoir in a line on the surface over which the frame travels.

3. A marker comprising a wheeled frame; a marking trough pivotally mounted to swing freely on said frame under the influence of gravity to trail upon the surface over which said frame travels; a reservoir on said frame; means for discharging liquid from said reservoir into said trough; and a. brush arranged with its bristles 5 closing and constituting the lower end of said trough with the tips of said bristles contacting said surface.

4. A marker comprising a Wheeled frame; a marking trough pivotally mounted to swing freely 10 on said frame under the influence of gravity to trail upon the surface over which said frame travels; longitudinal distributing ribs on the bottom of said trough; a reservoir on said frame; means for discharging liquid from said reservoir l5 into said trough; and a brush arranged with its bristles closing and constituting the lower end of said trough with the tips of said bristles contacting said surface.

5. A marker comprising a frame having two 20 rear and one intermediate front wheel and two transverse bars; a handle for said frame; a reservoir mounted on said frame and having slotted members at opposite sides to fitl over said bars, the front wall of said reservoir being rearwardly sloping to permit a view o f said front wheel; a rocker shaft in the upper part of said reservoir; an agitator arm on said shaft depending into said reservoir; a crank arm on said shaft outside said reservoir; a crank pin on a corresponding 3c wheel of said frame; an adjustable link connecting said crank arm and crank pin; a discharge spout for said reservoir; a valve controlling said spout; a rotatable bent valve rod on said handle for controlling said valve; and a marking trough pivotally mounted on said frame to trail upon the surface over which said frame travels and to receive discharge from said spout.

6. A marker comprising a frame having two rear and one intermediate front wheel and two transverse bars; a handle for said frame; a reservoir mounted on said frame and having slotted members at opposite sides to fit over said bars, the front wall of said reservoir being rearwardly sloping to permit a view of said front wheeel; a 4 5 rocker shaft in the upper part of said reservoir: an agitator arm on said shaft depending into said reservoir; a crank arm on said shaft outside said reservoir; a crank pin on a corresponding Wheel of said frame; an adjustable link connect- 5o ing said crank arm and crank pin; a discharge spout for said reservoir; a valve controlling said spout; a rotatable bent valve rod on said handle for controlling said Valve; a marking trough pivotally mounted on said frame to trail uponthe surface over which said frame travels and to receive discharge from said spout; and a brush detachable on the lower end of said trough.

ALBERT J. JOHN. 

